Most people have heard of Pilates or yoga, but not everyone knows what Total Barre is. Do you? If not, you're not alone.

Total Barre is a low-impact exercise program designed for everyone. It mixes music with the biomechanics of movement to increase strength, flexibility, stamina, and dynamic stability.

Total Barre makes use of the traditional ballet barre for the exercises and various movements. The barre helps you to maintain your balance. Some exercises are completed while on the floor, and some exercises make use of light free weights.

While doing Total Barre, you'll want to wear leggings, pants, or capris that are comfortable. You won't want to wear shorts. You'll also want to wear sticky socks (the kind with a grippy bottom) so you don't slip on the floor.

Attending class regularly (at least a couple times per week) can have tremendous health benefits.

Interested in checking out Total Barre? Sign up for one of our classes today!

If you hear someone talking about recommendations for low-impact exercise options, you'll likely hear two things... yoga and Pilates. While many are familiar with what yoga is, not everyone is as familiar with Pilates.

In a nutshell, Pilates is a series of movements that stabilize and strengthen your core. It can be demanding, but it's not the kind of workout that always works up a sweat. With Pilates, it's all about concentration and breathing. But don't be fooled... you'll definitely feel it in your muscles with each exercise. Pilates has a strong emphasis on technique. With consistent practice, Pilates will help you achieve better posture and a better sense of well being.

There are two main methods for practicing Pilates. You can do it on the floor with a mat, or you can use a machine (called a Reformer). Both are excellent workouts.

The beautiful thing about Pilates is that you don't already have to be in great shape to enjoy it. Pilates is great for absolute beginners, as well as seasoned athletes.

If you're interested in checking out if Pilates is right for you, click here to register for one of the many Pilates classes offered by Staszak Physical Therapy & Wellness Center. We'd love to see you!

At Staszak Physical Therapy & Wellness Center, we're focused on making sure you not only heal, but also learn how to prevent reinjury. Check out this sneak peek into our personal training services.

Have you ever tried working out on your own and have found your motivation to get out to exercise decrease?  Regular exercise provides individuals with numerous health benefits, including: reduced risk of developing health problems and diseases, increased energy levels, a heightened mood and even improved mental performance. Compared to exercising alone, group workouts are the best alternative that can boost your motivation as many people have noted.

Research has shown that community-based group workouts and physical therapist-administered group exercises dramatically improve balance and stability in older individuals in comparison to those who exercise alone at home or do not exercise regularly. Improved stability also greatly reduces the risk of falling in older persons. Falls are a major cause of injury, chronic pain, decreased mobility, morbidity, and mortality in individuals 65 years of age and older.

An added benefit of group exercise is that an instructor typically facilitates the class and this helps ensure that movements are being performed correctly. Group members can assist each other maintain proper posture and form which can help reduce the risk of injury.

Group-based exercise has also been shown to promote greater satisfaction and exercise discipline among group members. This is because instructors and group members taking the class tend to encourage each other to regularly attend the workouts and finish a session when fatigue begins to set in. Individuals who exercise alone have to motivate themselves to exercise regularly; therefore, they may be easily discouraged to continue exercising when they begin to feel tired, since there is no group encouragement.

Group-based workouts have even proven to be more effective than individual exercise at reducing chronic back pain, enhancing energy levels and mood, and improving mobility. Again, this appears to be due to the supervision that is provided by the instructor and other group members as well as the increased exercise adherence and program completion that is typically displayed amongst group members.

Moreover, people suffering from serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease have experienced health benefits from group workouts. These benefits include less fatigue and muscle stiffness as well as improved balance, mobility, and quality of life. Individuals with such diseases who exercise alone tend to experience lower levels of improvement.

Yoga and Pilates may be the fitness world’s most popular exercises.  Quite a bit less frantic than intense interval training workouts such as cross fit, yoga and Pilates offer a mind/body alternative and a way to cross train that enhances the body.

Many people, from athletes to clients, who are finishing up the rehab process often find that choosing between the two can be confusing. Which better suits the body’s needs or fitness levels? There are similarities; both are mind/body disciplines, have specific breathing techniques, and incorporate resistance for toning muscles. At Patterson Physical Therapy & Wellness Center, we incorporate Pilates and yoga in a rehab setting. Yoga and Pilates are slow, personal routines done in the clinic, but they can also be done through community classes and one-on-one training or in the privacy of your own home.

Check out our new weekly Yoga classes, starting Wed, Sept 19th @ 5:45pm

Ellen King PT has advanced training in Pilates and recommends Pilates if your goal is increased functional strength, athletic performance or spinal stabilization.  Mike Staszak PT, who practices yoga, believes yoga is an excellent addition to any fitness routine where the combination of strength and flexibility are goals. Furthermore, Mike incorporates the stabilization principles of Pilates into his yoga practice and the way he instructs clients.

Both disciplines help with restoring breath and posture, can be beneficial for beginners, high-level athletes or for someone wanting to change their lifestyle, such as after a heart attack, with high blood pressure or with diabetes.  At Patterson Physical Therapy & Wellness Center we are able to help you choose the path towards wellness that best addresses your lifestyle and goals.